Saints defense ‘Breaking Bad'

Published: Monday, September 23, 2013 at 10:00 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, September 23, 2013 at 10:53 p.m.

On Sunday, one of my favorite television series will come to an end after a five-year run.

AMC's "Breaking Bad" is regarded as one of the top dramas in television history, and two days ago, it won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series on TV.

"Breaking Bad" tells the story of Walter White's transformation from a high-school chemistry teacher to a ruthless drug dealer in New Mexico.

NFL fans also understand how a transformation can turn their team from championship contender to an also-ran.

It appears that may be happening right now with the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants.

From 2005-12, the Steelers and Giants combined to win four Super Bowls. But now both teams are a combined 0-6 and appear headed for long seasons.

Not all transformations are bad.

Just take a look at the New Orleans Saints.

Since winning Super Bowl XLIV following the 2009 season, the Saints defense started to get progressively worse. It probably cost the team a chance at winning another Super Bowl following the 2011 season.

The Saints opted to make a change at defensive coordinator, replacing Gregg Williams with Steve Spagnuolo. The change was ineffective, and the Saints finished with the worst defense in NFL history after giving up 7,042 yards.

Once returning from his season-long suspension due to the team's bounty scandal, Payton opted to make another change on the defensive side of the ball. Spagnuolo was out as defensive coordinator after only one season, and Rob Ryan was brought in to implement a new 3-4 scheme.

It's safe to say that Ryan is "Breaking Bad." Instead of it being White's transformation in the award-winning TV series, it's the Saints defense that needed to be transformed into a relentless unit.

If the first three games are any indication, Ryan's plan appears to be working. The Saints are currently holding opponents to 296 yards per game — compared to last season's 440 yards per game. They are also giving 16 less points per game (12.6 from 28.4).

"Breaking Bad" appears to be working for the Saints. Ryan has come in and gave the Saints defense something that it has been lacking for several seasons — an attitude.

Ryan had to find a way to "break the bad" from the Saints defense. Looking at last season's file, Ryan's job was not an easy one because there was a lot of "breaking" that needed to be done.

Despite many new faces, injuries and a lack of NFL experience within the group, Ryan has the Saints defense playing like a Top 10 unit. It proves that the players have bought into Ryan's system, and having a bad defense is not an option with this team.

Will the Saints keep this high level of play on the defensive side of the ball for the remainder of the season?

That remains to be seen, but we should have a better idea of where this team stands in the next three weeks, as the Saints face three teams currently with 3-0 records — the Miami Dolphins, Chicago Bears and New England Patriots.

With Payton calling the shots and quarterback Drew Brees running the team's high-powered offense, the Saints will always be considered a perennial playoff contender.

In recent seasons, the Saints were only missing one thing — a quality defense.

All the Saints needed was a Top 20 defense to be back in the playoffs. But if the Saints have a Top 10 defense, the sky is the limit.

By "Breaking Bad," the Saints have fixed one of their glaring weaknesses — the defensive side of the ball — and may have put themselves in position to win the franchise's second Super Bowl title.

Brent St. Germain is the sports editor of The Courier and the Daily Comet. He can be reached at 857-2239 or 448-7600 ext. 2239 or by e-mail at brent.st.germain@houmatoday.com.

<p>On Sunday, one of my favorite television series will come to an end after a five-year run.</p><p>AMC's "Breaking Bad" is regarded as one of the top dramas in television history, and two days ago, it won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series on TV. </p><p>"Breaking Bad" tells the story of Walter White's transformation from a high-school chemistry teacher to a ruthless drug dealer in New Mexico. </p><p>NFL fans also understand how a transformation can turn their team from championship contender to an also-ran.</p><p>It appears that may be happening right now with the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants. </p><p>From 2005-12, the Steelers and Giants combined to win four Super Bowls. But now both teams are a combined 0-6 and appear headed for long seasons.</p><p>Not all transformations are bad. </p><p>Just take a look at the New Orleans Saints.</p><p>Since winning Super Bowl XLIV following the 2009 season, the Saints defense started to get progressively worse. It probably cost the team a chance at winning another Super Bowl following the 2011 season.</p><p>The Saints opted to make a change at defensive coordinator, replacing Gregg Williams with Steve Spagnuolo. The change was ineffective, and the Saints finished with the worst defense in NFL history after giving up 7,042 yards.</p><p>Once returning from his season-long suspension due to the team's bounty scandal, Payton opted to make another change on the defensive side of the ball. Spagnuolo was out as defensive coordinator after only one season, and Rob Ryan was brought in to implement a new 3-4 scheme.</p><p>It's safe to say that Ryan is "Breaking Bad." Instead of it being White's transformation in the award-winning TV series, it's the Saints defense that needed to be transformed into a relentless unit.</p><p>If the first three games are any indication, Ryan's plan appears to be working. The Saints are currently holding opponents to 296 yards per game — compared to last season's 440 yards per game. They are also giving 16 less points per game (12.6 from 28.4).</p><p>"Breaking Bad" appears to be working for the Saints. Ryan has come in and gave the Saints defense something that it has been lacking for several seasons — an attitude.</p><p>Ryan had to find a way to "break the bad" from the Saints defense. Looking at last season's file, Ryan's job was not an easy one because there was a lot of "breaking" that needed to be done.</p><p>Despite many new faces, injuries and a lack of NFL experience within the group, Ryan has the Saints defense playing like a Top 10 unit. It proves that the players have bought into Ryan's system, and having a bad defense is not an option with this team.</p><p>Will the Saints keep this high level of play on the defensive side of the ball for the remainder of the season?</p><p>That remains to be seen, but we should have a better idea of where this team stands in the next three weeks, as the Saints face three teams currently with 3-0 records — the Miami Dolphins, Chicago Bears and New England Patriots.</p><p>With Payton calling the shots and quarterback Drew Brees running the team's high-powered offense, the Saints will always be considered a perennial playoff contender. </p><p>In recent seasons, the Saints were only missing one thing — a quality defense.</p><p>All the Saints needed was a Top 20 defense to be back in the playoffs. But if the Saints have a Top 10 defense, the sky is the limit.</p><p>By "Breaking Bad," the Saints have fixed one of their glaring weaknesses — the defensive side of the ball — and may have put themselves in position to win the franchise's second Super Bowl title.</p><p>Brent St. Germain is the sports editor of The Courier and the Daily Comet. He can be reached at 857-2239 or 448-7600 ext. 2239 or by e-mail at brent.st.germain@houmatoday.com.</p>